News

Former Hardee's franchisee, army veteran, single mom joins Tropical Smoothie

November 17, 2016

Emily Harrington has purchased two existing Tropical Smoothie Cafes in Tampa with four more locations pledged in the next several years and as many as 50 sites for the brand in future years. The franchising trailblazer previously owned 42 Hardee's restaurants after she served in the U.S. Army for five years, according to a company press release.

"As a single mother and business owner, I know all too well how difficult it can be to eat healthy while on the go, and after my time with Hardee's, I was determined to join a food service brand that focuses on making nutritious and delicious food convenient for today's modern consumer," she said in a news release. 

This agreement is part of the brand's overall "accelerated franchise development plans." On the heels of one of the strongest years in the company's 19-year history, the award-winning brand successfully propelled its expansion throughout 2016, and grew its presence in key markets nationwide, including Charleston, South Carolina; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Dallas, Texas; and Southern California.

"Over the past several years, we've built a strong brand that's grabbing the attention of multi-unit operators that are adapting their restaurant portfolio to better meet the preferences of consumers today and leaving fast food concepts in search of an opportunity that offers healthier options," said the brand's CEO Mike Rotondo, in a release.